Tens of thousands of nurses and healthcare workers employed by Kaiser Permanente have initiated a strike, significantly impacting facilities across California and Hawaii. This action, which commenced at 7 a.m. PT on Monday, involves over 31,000 workers and marks the largest strike of healthcare professionals in 2026.
Key Details of the Kaiser Permanente Nurse Strike
The striking employees, members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP), are advocating for safer staffing levels, fair wages, and adequate compensation. According to the union, staffing shortages at many Kaiser facilities are leading to delays in patient care, increased risk of errors, and heightened levels of burnout and turnover among staff.
UNAC/UHCP has accused Kaiser of seeking to reduce wages and benefits, including medical coverage and pension plans. The union argues that Kaiser is bypassing established bargaining processes, leading to a stalemate in negotiations that began in May. An unfair labor practice charge has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board against Kaiser for abandoning negotiations in December, reports NBC San Diego.
Additionally, a report released by UNAC/UHCP criticizes Kaiser for operating with a net income and surplus exceeding typical nonprofit standards and for allegedly investing in private prisons and ICE detention centers, raising ethical concerns.
Kaiser’s Response and Operational Adjustments
Kaiser Permanente has labeled the strike as “unnecessary,” emphasizing that a “generous offer” remains on the table, reports ABC7. The organization has committed to keeping all hospitals and nearly all medical offices operational during the strike, implementing contingency plans to minimize disruptions. However, some in-person appointments may be shifted to virtual formats, and certain elective surgeries and procedures may require rescheduling.
Kaiser maintains that it is striving to balance fair compensation for staff while ensuring healthcare affordability, amid rising costs and potential threats to Americans’ health insurance access.
Historical Context and New York Nurses Strike
This strike is not an isolated event; Kaiser workers also participated in a five-day strike in October with similar demands. Furthermore, it coincides with a major nursing strike in New York City, where nearly 15,000 nurses have walked off the job at five hospitals, indicating broader unrest within the healthcare sector. The New York State Nurses Association reports some progress, with tentative agreements on maintaining health benefits at two hospitals, yet the strike persists as negotiations continue, reports Fox5NY.
